53 pages • 1 hour read
Requiem for a Dream: A Novel
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Book Brief
279
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1970s
1978
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. follows Harry Goldfarb, his mother Sara, his girlfriend Marion Kleinmeitz, and his best friend Tyrone C. Love as they struggle with drug addiction and its devastating consequences in Brooklyn. As they chase the American dream, their lives spiral out of control, showing the personal toll of addiction and its impact on their relationships and dreams. This book contains explicit depictions of drug use, addiction, mental illness, and various forms of violence.
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Melancholic
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
63,131 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hubert Selby Jr.'s Requiem for a Dream is praised for its raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction and the human condition, with compelling, multi-faceted characters. The novel's intense, often distressing narrative is seen as both a strength and a drawback, challenging readers with its bleakness but lauded for its powerful impact.
Who Should Read Requiem for a Dream?
Readers who appreciated the raw intensity and bleak realism of works like Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh or the dark, introspective narratives in American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis will find Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr. compelling. The novel's unflinching look at addiction and despair makes it suitable for those drawn to profound and gritty literature.
63,131 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
279
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1970s
1978
Adult
18+ years
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